the fiscal cliff. -- senator barbara boxer. >> we can sit here and watch what is happening. we know that there are negotiations going on to avert at least part of the fiscal cliff. i want to say, and i have said this privately and publicly that i really hope our leaders can find a way out of this. i watched the president's speech today and i thought, as usual, he was very fair in what he said. what he basically said it is it is the middle class who grows this economy, the middle class needs to be lifted up, the middle class to cannot afford the tax hikes down those at the very top can give just a little bit more. it is a very simple point. i just would hope, given that everyone says it is not about class, and i know they say that every day on the other side of the aisle. finding this compromise will not be inclusive but will come to pass. . you you know, i have been here for a while. my understanding is we have not met between -- christmas and new years since 1962. it takes something of major proportio